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A memory submitted by James Fulton, Class of 1956, 1958

Dr. John M. Claunch, Chairman of the Department of Government and Dean of Dallas College (SMU’s then night school in Downtown Dallas).

Dr. Claunch influenced me with his personal interest in local government as an undergraduate and he began a program to train management trainees by joining the graduate student with local governments as interns. I was in the first group so established at SMU. He obtained financial aid for us (half price tuition) and continued to work with each of us for several years after graduation. He even started a local chapter of the American Society of Public Administration at SMU and was its first Chapter President. He remained friend and mentor until he left SMU to become President of another University.

I will always owe his friendship as the basis for my 40 plus years in public service both at the local municipal level and with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration until my retirement in 1997.